Storage Space Variable Type Refrigerator

ABSTRACT

A storage space variable type refrigerator having a food receiving unit for receiving food thereon, the refrigerator comprising a lifting unit for automatically moving the food receiving unit up and down according to a food capacity. In the refrigerator, a storage efficiency is increased, a loss of cold air generated when the shelf is drawn out with opening a door of the refrigerator in order to store food having a large volume in the refrigerator is prevented, and a user&#39; s convenience is enhanced.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to a refrigerator, and more particularly, to a storage space variable type refrigerator capable of varying a storage space according to a food capacity.

BACKGROUND ART

Generally, a refrigerator serves to maintain freshness of food stored as a frozen state or a cooled state for a long time by forcibly circulating cold air around an evaporator by a fan or by installing the evaporator at a freezing chamber or a refrigerating chamber, respectively.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a refrigerator having an opened door in accordance with the conventional art.

As shown, the refrigerator comprises a body 10 divided into a freezing chamber 1 and a refrigerating chamber 12, and a door 20 rotatably connected to the body 10 for opening and closing the body 10. The freezing chamber 11 comprises an ice-maker 16 for making ice, and an ice container 17 mounted at a lower side of the ice-maker for storing ice made from the ice-maker 16. A temperature of the freezing chamber 11 is generally in a range of −21°˜−15°.

The refrigerating chamber 12 for storing food such as side dish, fruit, and vegetable with a cool state is provided with shelves 13 for receiving food. A temperature of the refrigerating chamber 12 is generally in a range of −21°˜−6°.

FIG. 2 is a frontal view showing a refrigerator having shelves therein in accordance with the conventional art.

As shown, the shelves 13 are supported by protrusions 14 protruding from both sides of an inner wall of the refrigerator. Generally, the number of the protrusions 14 is larger than the number of the shelves 13. The shelves 13 are supported by desired protrusions selected according to a capacity of food to be stored.

A vegetable chamber 15 for storing vegetable, etc. is provided at a lower end of the refrigerating chamber 12 as an additional space.

DISCLOSURE OF INVENTION Technical Problem

A method for storing food in the conventional refrigerator and a problem thereof will be explained.

In order to store food in the refrigerator, the door 20 is opened and food to be stored is placed on the shelves. If food to be stored has a large volume, the shelf is drawn out thereby to increase the space between the shelves. On the contrary, when food to be stored has a small volume, the drawn shelf is inserted into the refrigerator thereby to obtain segmented spaces.

However, a height of each shelf can not be automatically adjusted. In order to control the height of each shelf, the stored food has to be completely drawn out. Then, the shelf supported by one protrusion 14 is drawn out, and then the shelf is supported by another protrusion. The above process causes a user inconvenience, so that the user scarcely performs the process. Accordingly, a storage efficiency of the refrigerator is degraded thus not to store a lot of food.

Furthermore, at the time of mounting the shelves, an operation for controlling the height of each shelf is complicated and it takes a lot f time to perform the operation. Accordingly, the door of the refrigerator is opened for a long time thus to cause a great loss of cold air inside the refrigerator and to cause a great power consumption at the time of re-driving the refrigerator.

Technical Solution

Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a storage space variable type refrigerator capable of enhancing a user's convenience and preventing a loss of cold air by automatically varying a storage space of food according to a food capacity.

To achieve these and other advantages and in accordance with the purpose of the present invention, as embodied and broadly described herein, there is provided a storage space variable type refrigerator having a food receiving unit for receiving food thereon, the refrigerator comprising a lifting unit for automatically moving the food receiving unit up and down according to a food capacity.

The foregoing and other objects, features, aspects and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent from the following detailed description of the present invention when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

Reference will now be made in detail to the preferred embodiments of the present invention, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings.

Hereinafter, a storage space variable type refrigerator according to the present invention will be explained in more detail with reference to the attached drawings.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing a first embodiment of a storage space variable type refrigerator according to the present invention, and FIG. 4 is a partial perspective view showing the storage space variable type refrigerator according to the present invention. The same reference numerals were given to the same parts as those of the conventional art.

A storage space variable type refrigerator 100 having a shelf 150 for receiving food thereon comprises a lifting unit 200 for automatically moving the shelf 150 up and down according to a food capacity.

The lifting unit 200 comprises four supporting blocks 210 protruding from each edge of the shelf 150 and coupled to a side wall of the refrigerator, and four springs 220 coupled to the supporting blocks 210 for elastically supporting the shelf 150.

The supporting block 210 is positioned at a lower side of the shelf 150, and is formed either at a freezing chamber 11 or at a refrigerating chamber 12.

The supporting block 210 can be detachably provided at a side wall of the refrigerator 100. In case of removing the shelf 150 of the refrigerator in order to store food having a large volume, the supporting block 210 can be detached from the side wall so as not to come in contact with the shelf 150.

The spring 220 is a compression spring, and has an intensity enough to lower the shelf 150 with being compressed according to a load of food placed on the shelf 150.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view showing a shelf of a storage space variable type refrigerator according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

As shown, the supporting block 211 is coupled to a side wall of the refrigerator in parallel with the shelf 150 thus to be protruding in a longitudinal direction. That is, two supporting blocks 211 are protruding from the side wall of the refrigerator in parallel with two edges of the shelf 150 adjacent to the side wall of the refrigerator. A plurality of springs 220 for elastically supporting the shelf 150 are connected to each supporting block 211.

As aforementioned, the supporting block 211 is detachably constructed at the side wall of the refrigerator so as not to come in contact with the shelf 150 in case of removing the shelf 150. The supporting block 211 is positioned at an upper side of the shelf 150, and the spring 220 is a tension spring. The spring 220 is extended according to a load of food to be positioned on the shelf 150, thereby lowering the shelf 150.

An operation and effect of the storage space variable refrigerator according to the first and second embodiments of the present invention will be explained.

When food is not stored in the refrigerator, the spring 220 maintains an initial displacement. However, when food is stored in the refrigerator, the spring 220 is compressed according to a load of the food. The more the load of the food is, the more the spring is compressed.

As the compression displacement of the spring 220 is increased, a lowering displacement of the shelf 150 is increased. As the result, the shelf 150 on which food having a large load is placed is more lowered. Generally, food having a large load has a large volume, and requires a relatively large storage space.

The storage space variable type refrigerator according to the present invention enhances a storage efficiency and prevents a loss of cold air generated when the shelf is drawn out with opening a door of the refrigerator in order to store food having a large volume in the refrigerator, thereby enhancing a user's convenience.

FIGS. 6 and 7 are frontal section views showing a storage space variable type refrigerator according to a third embodiment of the present invention.

As shown, a storage space variable type refrigerator including an ice container 350 having an elastic side wall for storing ice comprises a lifting unit 400 for varying an inner space of the ice container 350 as the side wall of the ice container 350 is elasticized according to a capacity of ice to be received in the ice container 350.

As shown in FIG. 3, the ice container 350 is mounted at a lower side of the ice maker 16 and stores ice provided from the ice maker 16.

The side wall of the ice container 350 has multi stages to be overlapped with one another or separated from one another. The side wall of the ice container 350 can be formed of bellows thereby to be elasticized according to an ice capacity.

The lifting unit 400 comprises a block 410 coupled to the side wall of the ice container 350, a protrusion portion 430 protruding from the side wall of the refrigerator and coupled to the ice container 350, and a spring 420 disposed between the block 410 and the protrusion portion 430.

Preferably, the block 410 is coupled to a lowest stage of the side wall of the ice container 350 in case the side wall has multi stages.

The protrusion portion 430 is coupled to an upper end of the side wall of the ice container 350.

In the preferred embodiment, the block 410 is positioned at a lower side than the protrusion portion 430, and the spring 420 is an extension spring.

An operation and effect of the storage space variable refrigerator according to the third embodiment of the present invention will be explained.

Once ice is provided from the ice maker 16, the ice automatically drops thus to be received in the ice container 350. When an amount of the ice is less, an extended length of the spring 420 is short and thus the side wall of the ice container 350 is less extended. The more the amount of the ice is, the more the spring 420 is extended due to a heavy weight. As aforementioned, the spring 420 is coupled to the block 410, and the block 410 is coupled to the side wall of the ice container 350 having a multi-stage. Therefore, when the spring 420 is extended, the side wall of the ice container 350 is extended and thus an inner space of the ice container 350 has a large volume.

When the amount of the ice is less, the ice is received in the ice container 350 and another storage space of the freezing chamber is not influenced by the ice container 350 having a small volume. Therefore, a storage efficiency of the freezing chamber is increased. On the contrary, when the amount of the ice is great, an inner volume of the ice container 350 is increased. That is, the size of the ice container 350 is automatically changed according to the amount of ice without a user's additional adjustment, thereby enhancing the user's convenience and increasing the storage efficiency of the freezing chamber.

FIGS. 8 and 9 are frontal section views showing an ice container of a storage space variable type refrigerator according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention.

As shown, the lifting unit 401 comprises a block 411 coupled to the side wall of the ice container 350, a first protrusion portion 431 protruding from the side wall of the refrigerator and coupled to the ice container 350, a second protrusion portion 432 positioned at a lower side of the first protrusion portion 431 and protruding from the side wall of the refrigerator, and a spring 421 disposed between the block 411 and the second protrusion portion 432.

Preferably, the block 411 is coupled to a lowest stage of the side wall of the ice container 350 in case the side wall has multi stages.

The first protrusion portion 431 is coupled to an upper end of the side wall of the ice container 350.

The spring 420 is a compression spring.

The fourth embodiment of the present invention is similar to the third embodiment except the following. In the third embodiment, the inner space of the ice container 350 is increased as the spring is extended when the amount of ice is increased. However, in the fourth embodiment, the inner space of the ice container 350 is increased as the spring is compressed.

FIG. 10 is a frontal section view showing a storage space variable type refrigerator according to a fifth embodiment of the present invention.

As shown in FIG. 10, the block 412 is not attached to the side wall of the ice container 350, but is connected to the ice container 350 by an additional connection plate 450. The connection plate 450 evenly distributes the ice to the blocks 412 positioned at both side walls of the refrigerator so that the ice container can be horizontally lowered. Also, the connection plate 450 improves the appearance of the ice container 350.

FIGS. 11 and 12 are frontal section views showing a storage space variable type refrigerator according to a sixth embodiment of the present invention.

As shown, the lifting unit 500 comprises a plurality of springs 510, 520, and 530 each having one end connected to the plural shelves 451, 452, and 453 and another end connected to an upper side wall of the refrigerator for elastically supporting the shelves.

When food is not stored on the shelves 451, 452, and 453, the shelves 451, 452, and 453 are overlapped with one another by an elastic force of each spring 510, 520, and 530 thereby to be adhered to the upper surface of the refrigerator.

The springs 510, 520, and 530 are extension springs, and are extended from a contracted state when food is placed on the shelves 451, 452, and 453 thereby to lower the shelves 451, 452, and 453. The spring 530 connected to the lowest shelf 453 has to be extended the most thereby to have a reinforcing coefficient smaller than reinforcing coefficients of the springs 510 and 520.

In the preferred embodiment, three shelves and three springs are constructed. However, it is possible to construct the number of the shelves and the springs variously.

An operation and effect of the storage space variable type refrigerator according to the sixth embodiment of the present invention will be explained.

When food is not stored on the shelves, the shelves 451, 452, and 453 are overlapped with one another by an elastic force of each spring 510, 520, and 530 thereby to be adhered to the upper surface of the refrigerator. Accordingly, the user does not have a difficulty in storing food having a large volume in the refrigerator. In order to store food in the refrigerator, the user lowers the shelves by his hand and then places food on the shelves. The shelves are balanced when a weight of food placed on each shelf and an elastic force of each spring are equal to each other. In case of using every shelf, a lot of food having a small volume can be stored on each shelf since the food having a small volume has a light weight.

As the present invention may be embodied in several forms without departing from the spirit or essential characteristics thereof, it should also be understood that the above-described embodiments are not limited by any of the details of the foregoing description, unless otherwise specified, but rather should be construed broadly within its spirit and scope as defined in the appended claims, and therefore all changes and modifications that fall within the metes and bounds of the claims, or equivalence of such metes and bounds are therefore intended to be embraced by the appended claims.

Advantageous Effects

As aforementioned, the storage space variable type refrigerator according to the present invention enhances a storage efficiency of the refrigerator by automatically varying an inner volume of a food receiving unit such as the shelf, and prevents a loss of cold air generated when the shelf is drawn out with opening a door of the refrigerator in order to store food having a large volume in the refrigerator. Accordingly, a consumption power is decreased and a user's convenience is enhanced.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying drawings, which are included to provide a further understanding of the invention and are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification, illustrate embodiments of the invention and together with the description serve to explain the principles of the invention.

In the drawings:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a preferred embodiment of a refrigerator in accordance with the conventional art;

FIG. 2 is a frontal view showing a shelf mounting structure of the refrigerator in accordance with the conventional art;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing a first embodiment of a storage space variable type refrigerator according to the present invention;

FIG. 4 is a partial perspective view showing the storage space variable type refrigerator according to the present invention;

FIG. 5 is a perspective view showing a shelf of a storage space variable type refrigerator according to a second embodiment of the present invention;

FIGS. 6 and 7 are frontal section views showing a storage space variable type refrigerator according to a third embodiment of the present invention;

FIGS. 8 and 9 are frontal section views showing a storage space variable type refrigerator according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 10 is a frontal section view showing a storage space variable type refrigerator according to a fifth embodiment of the present invention; and

FIGS. 11 and 12 are frontal section views showing a storage space variable type refrigerator according to a sixth embodiment of the present invention. 

1. A storage space variable type refrigerator having a food receiving unit for receiving food thereon, the refrigerator comprising a lifting unit for automatically moving the food receiving unit up and down according to a food capacity.
 2. The refrigerator of claim 1, wherein the food receiving unit is a shelf.
 3. The refrigerator of claim 2, wherein the lifting unit comprises: a plurality of supporting blocks protruding from each edge of the shelf and coupled to an inner side wall of the refrigerator; and a plurality of springs coupled to the supporting blocks for elastically supporting the shelf.
 4. The refrigerator of claim 3, wherein the supporting blocks are detachably constructed.
 5. The refrigerator of claim 3, wherein the supporting blocks are positioned at a lower side of the shelf, and the spring is compressed according to a weight of food placed on the shelf thereby to lower the shelf.
 6. The refrigerator of claim 3, wherein the supporting blocks are positioned at an upper side of the shelf, and the spring is extended according to a weight of food placed on the shelf thereby to lower the shelf.
 7. The refrigerator of claim 2, wherein the lifting unit comprises: a plurality of supporting blocks protruding from an inner side wall of the refrigerator and extending in parallel with two edges of the shelf adjacent to the inner side wall of the refrigerator; and a plurality of springs coupled to the supporting blocks for elastically supporting the shelf.
 8. The refrigerator of claim 7, wherein the supporting blocks are detachably constructed.
 9. The refrigerator of claim 1, wherein the food receiving unit is an ice container having an elastic side wall for storing ice provided from an ice maker of the refrigerator.
 10. The refrigerator of claim 9, wherein the side wall of the ice container has multi stages that can be overlapped with one another or separated from one another.
 11. The refrigerator of claim 9, wherein the side wall of the ice container is formed of bellows.
 12. The refrigerator of claim 9, wherein the lifting unit comprises: a block coupled to a side wall of the ice container; a protrusion portion protruding from an inner side wall of the refrigerator and coupled to the ice container; and a spring disposed between the block and the protrusion portion.
 13. The refrigerator of claim 12, wherein the block is positioned at a lower side than the protrusion portion, and the side wall of the ice container is extended as the spring is extended.
 14. The refrigerator of claim 12, wherein the block is positioned at an upper side than the protrusion portion, and the side wall of the ice container is extended as the spring is compressed.
 15. The refrigerator of claim 9, wherein the lifting unit comprises: a block coupled to a side wall of the ice container; a first protrusion portion protruding from an inner side wall of the refrigerator and coupled to the ice container; a second protrusion portion positioned at a lower side of the first protrusion portion and protruding from the inner side wall of the refrigerator; and a spring disposed between the block and the second protrusion portion.
 16. The refrigerator of claim 9, wherein the lifting unit comprises: a first protrusion portion protruding from an inner side wall of the refrigerator and coupled to the ice container; a second protrusion portion positioned at a lower side of the first protrusion portion and protruding from the inner side wall of the refrigerator; a connection plate contacting a lower surface of the ice container; and springs disposed between the second protrusion portion and the connection plate for elastically supporting the connection plate.
 17. The refrigerator of claim 16, wherein blocks are connected to a lower surface of the connection plate, and the spring is connected between the second protrusion portion and the block.
 18. The refrigerator of claim 2, wherein the lifting unit comprises a plurality of springs each having one end connected to a plurality of shelves and another end connected to an upper side wall of the refrigerator for elastically supporting the shelves.
 19. The refrigerator of claim 18, wherein the shelves are disposed in a vertical direction. 